At the beginning of the 2024 season, Tennessee was a 3.5 point underdog to Oklahoma for their 9/21 matchup in Norman. Over the past several weeks, we have seen that line move all the way to the Vols being a 6.5 point favorite. Why such a drastic swing, you may ask? The performance on the field from both teams couldn’t be more different.
With the exception of their matchup with Temple to start the season, OU has struggled with lesser opponents leading up to their first SEC matchup with the Vols. They squeaked out a 16-12 win against unranked Houston where UH outgained OU in total yards: 318 to 249. Last week, they beat a 1-1 Tulane team 34-19 while putting up 349 yards of total offense. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold went 18-29 for 169 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has been demolishing every team in their path. UT started off the season with a 69-3 win over UT-Chattanooga, beat #24 ranked NC State 51-10 at a neutral site game in Charlotte, and won what was essentially a glorified scrimmage against Kent State, 71-0. No one is saying that either OU or UT has had a difficult schedule to start the season. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The key difference is that the Vols have taken care of business how you would expect a top-10 team to take care of business. Oklahoma has appeared to struggle a bit with their schedule.
Given these opposite starts to the season, our beloved VolTwitter has taken to the internet to all but ensure a victory on Saturday.
Now, if there is one thing I have learned being a Vols fan, it is learning how to take a swift kick in the nuts. The past 17 years have been an absolute torture chamber for anyone that has cheered for the Vols. Even in 2022 with a playoff berth on the line, Tennessee managed to get bludgeoned by South Carolina (+22.5) in Columbia, SC at night and lost out on the playoffs (we won’t ever forgive you, Connor Stalions). No one saw a 38-63 loss coming that would ruin Tennessee’s season.
Anyone who lived through those two decades of hell as a Vols fan has most likely developed an unhealthy skepticism when Tennessee football appears to be in a good spot. We even have a name for it. Battered Vols Syndrome or more commonly known as: BVS.
In most cases, there really is no cure for BVS. It’s like herpes. That shit is for life. You can put on a brave face every Saturday and guarantee a Tennessee victory, but in the back of your head you are mentally putting on your jockstrap. You are preparing for the worst.
When I look at this game on paper, I should be confident that the Vols go into Norman and leave with a W. Here are some of the highlights:
- Tennessee has the former overall #1 player in the country (per On3) playing quarterback. Nico Iamaleava has essentially played seven quarters of football, usually getting pulled at halftime due to Tennessee blowing our their opponents. He is completing 70% of his passes with 698 yards through the air with 6 TDs and 2 picks. He has rushed for another 102 yards and 1 TD on the ground.
- The Vols RB, Dylan Sampson, has rushed for 357 yards (7.9 YPC) and is tied for the national lead in TDs at (9).
- Tennessee is #2 in the country for total offense averaging 639.3 YPG. In scoring offense, the Vols are #1 in the country averaging 63.7 PPG.
- Defensively, UT ranks #2 in total defense only allowing 160.7 YPG. In scoring defense, Tennessee comes in at #3 giving up 4.3 PPG on average.
- OU is #92 in total offense (325.3 YPG) and #33 in scoring offense (33.7 PPG).
- On defense, OU ranks #21 in total defense (264.7 YPG) and #19 in scoring defense (11.3 PPG).
I could continue to bore everyone to death by listing out dozens of points as to why Tennessee is the superior team to Oklahoma. However, when you go on the road to play a traditional CFB power at night (during the primetime slot, I might add), anything can happen.
And you know what? I won’t deny that I have the emotional maturity of a 14-year old. The result of this game will have a direct impact on my mood for the six days that follow until the next Tennessee game. And when you are an emotionally-stunted manchild, you start believing in things like jinxes. I am so pathetic that I genuinely believe if Tennessee fans go on Twitter (yes, I won’t stop calling it that) and guarantee a blow-out win, that the CFB cosmic forces will have no choice but to cause us a heartbreaking loss. If you are anything like me, I know you believe in this too…
In these types of situations there is really only one thing you can do. That is to get on your hands a knees and beg the CFB cosmos to have mercy on your soul. So that is what I will be doing on Saturday night. Which leads me to my final thought: No, I have not found the cure for my BVS. But maybe with a Tennessee win, I will be one step closer to completing the healing process.